Hemostatic dressing comprising extract of chamomile and nettle

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides hemostatic compositions comprising components of the flowers of pharmaceutical chamomile ( Chamomilla recutita ) and the leaves of dioecious nettle ( Urtica dioica ). Further inclusion of a biocompatible polymeric base, particularly an alignate, generates a composition with excellent and broad spectrum hemostatic capabilities, with concurrent antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. The invention further provides methods of using the inventive compositions in to reduce or stop bleeding, as well as a variety of apparatuses useful in hemostatic contexts that incorporate the inventive compositions. In one particular embodiment, the invention provides hemostatic dressings in which a polymeric layer incorporating chamomile and nettle components is applied to a textile or fabric material, for example a non-woven viscose.

CROSS-REFERENCE

The present application is a continuation of prior filed applicationSer. No. 11/793,339, filed Mar. 14, 2008, which was the National Stageof International Application No. PCT/IB2004/004355, filed Dec. 20, 2004,the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

A wide variety of compositions and devices have been developed for usein controlling bleeding. However, available compositions and dressingstypically have only a modest hemostatic effect, so that bleedingcontinues for several (e.g., 2-3 minutes or more) after application ofcomposition or dressing. Additionally, many dressings have only modestantiseptic abilities. Also, typical dressings are prepared frommaterials that have a tendency to adhere to the injured surface, causingsignificant pain to the patient when the dressing is applied or removed.Because of the modest hemostatic and/or antiseptic activity, standarddressings often need to be changed frequently, further exacerbatingadhesion problems.

There remains a need for the development of improved hemostaticcompositions, methods, and devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides improved compositions with antiseptic andproperties. The invention encompasses the recognition that certaincombinations of components of the flowers of pharmaceutical chamomile(Chamomilla recutita) and the leaves of dioecious nettle (Urtica dioica)produce highly effective hemostatic compositions. Further inclusion of abiocompatible polymeric base, particularly an alignate, generates acomposition with excellent and broad spectrum hemostatic capabilities,with concurrent antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

The invention further provides methods of using the inventivecompositions in order to reduce or stop bleeding and/or to treat woundsor burns, as well as a variety of apparatuses useful in hemostaticcontexts that incorporate the inventive compositions. In one particularembodiment, the invention provides hemostatic dressings. This embodimentis exemplified herein with a layered textile device comprising a textilelayer and a polymeric layer incorporating chamomile and nettlecomponents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Hemostatic Compositions

As described above, the present invention provides hemostaticcompositions containing specified amounts of chamomile and nettlecomponents. Desirably, these compositions further contain abiocompatible polymer or gel, e.g., an alginate. Alternatively oradditionally, inventive hemostatic compositions may contain otherpharmaceutical agents.

Chamomile and Nettle

The present invention provides hemostatic compositions containingchamomile and nettle components. According to the present invention,combinations of chamomile and nettle components make it possible tonoticeably increase the hemostatic properties of the nettle componentswithout decreasing the antiseptic properties of the chamomilecomponents.

In some embodiments, the inventive compositions contain chamomilecomponents and nettle components in a ratio within the range of about0.2-5.0:1.0 by weight of chamomile flowers to nettle leaves. In someembodiments, this ratio is within the range of about 1.0-3.0 chamomileflowers to nettle leaves.

As described in Example 1, for example, chamomile and nettle componentsmay be provided as an extract of chamomile and nettle plants. In someembodiments, a chamomile extract is prepared from chamomile flowers; insome embodiments, a nettle extract is prepared from nettle leaves.Chamomile and nettle extracts may be prepared separately and thencombined, or alternatively chamomile and nettle plant portions may firstbe combined together (before or after grinding), so that a singleextract is prepared from the combination.

Example 1 describes preparation of an aqueous extract of chamomileflowers and nettle leaves. Those of ordinary skill in the art willreadily appreciate that alternative extraction strategies (e.g., alcoholextraction) may alternatively be employed, so long as appropriatechamomile and nettle active components are obtained. Similarly, those ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that appropriate chamomile andnettle components may be provided by techniques other than extraction;indeed, in some cases it may be possible to obtain isolated componentsfrom commercial sources.

However the chamomile and nettle components are obtained, they aredesirably combined in amounts appropriate based on the above-notedweight ratios for chamomile flowers and nettle leaves. For example, ifindividual isolated components (e.g., discrete chemical compounds) orother component preparations are obtained, they are desirably combinedwith one another to achieve individual component amounts that would bepresent had chamomile flowers and nettle leaves been mixed at theindicated weight ratios, as described above and in Example 1.

Chamomile flowers (fresh or dried), water, and oil can be obtained fromany of a variety of commercial sources (e.g., Artemis herbs), or can beprepared according to known techniques. The flowers of chamomile containabout 1-2% volatile oils including alpha-bisabolol, alpha-bisabololoxides A & B, and matricin (usually converted to chamazulene during hotwater extraction or steam distillation). Other components include theflavonoids apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin. Bitter glycosides(anthemic acid), coumarins (including umbelliferon and herniarin),phenolic carboxylic acids, polysaccharides, mucilage, choline, aminoacids, tannins, and malic acid.

Nettle plants or leaves can be obtained fresh or dried from a variety ofcommercial sources, as can various extracts. Techniques for cultivatingand processing nettle are also well known in the art. Nettle is known tocontain amines, including histamine, formic acid, serotonin, flavonoids(including rutin and quercitrin), glycocides, tannins, carotenes, andvitamin C, among other components.

Biocompatible Polymer or Gel

Inventive compositions comprising chamomile and nettle components mayoptionally include one or more additional components. In many instances,it will be desirable to include a biocompatible polymer or gel, forexample to localize and impart a useful consistency to the composition.A variety of biocompatible polymers are known in the art.

In certain embodiments, the biocompatible polymer comprises agarose,agar, carrageen, alginic acid, alginate and/or other alginic acidderivatives, hyaluronic acid and/or hyaluronate derivatives, polyanionicpolysaccharides, chitin, chitosan, fibrin, polyglycolide, polylactide,polycaprolactone, dextran and/or copolymers thereof, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylates, waxes, polyethylene-polyoxypropylene-blockpolymers, wool fat, poly(L-lactic acid), poly(DL-Lactic acid)copoly(lactic/glycolic acid), cellulose and/or its derivatives such assodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and/or celluloseacetate, glycols such as propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol,polylactide-polyglycolide, polymethyldisiloxane, polycaprolactone,polylactic acid, ethylene vinyl acetate, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the biocompatible polymer comprises a hydrophilicpolymer. Useful hydrophilic polymers include, for example, hydrophilicdiols, hydrophilic diamines, and combinations thereof. Hydrophilic diolscan be, for example, poly(alkylene)glycols, polyester-based polyols,polycarbonate polyols, or combinations thereof. As used herein, the term“poly(alkylene)glycol” refers to polymers of lower alkylene glycols suchas poly(ethylene)glycol, poly(propylene)glycol polytetramethylene etherglycol (PTMEG), and combinations thereof.

Biocompatible polymers for use in accordance with the present inventionmay be or include a hydrogel, such as, for example, a copolymer orblock-polymer or the like. Useful hydrogels include crosslinked keratin,polymethylmethacrylate, polyethylene glycol, polyalkoxyalkyl(meth)acrylate, ethylene/vinylalcohol copolymer, polyurea, apolyurethane polyurethane/polyurea, and combinations thereof, to namebut a few.

In addition to providing useful localization and retention attributes tothe inventive hemostatic compositions, polymers or gels that attract,absorb, or otherwise incorporate water may have additional advantages,including, for example, an ability to promote coagulation, and thereforemay be particularly useful in the practice of the present invention. Togive but one example, alginate can enhance the hemostatic properties ofcompositions according to the present invention.

The amount of biocompatible polymer or gel utilized in accordance withthe present invention will be selected to permit or achieve the desiredhemostatic results. In some embodiments, chamomile/nettle componentswill be present at an amount within a range of about 0.3 to 0.9% of theamount by weight of biocompatible polymer or gel. In some embodiments,the amount will be within a range of about 0.4 to 0.6% by weight; insome embodiments the amount will be within a range of about 0.5-0.55%.Some embodiments contain 0.33-0.92% chamomile/nettle components byweight in an alginate composition; others contain 0.5-0.55%chamomile/nettle components by weight in alginate. This weightrelationship makes it possible to effectively increase the coagulabilityof blood, preserve hugh antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties,and, at the same time, maintain sufficient viscosity in the wound tofacilitate clotting, which, in the final analysis, influences the speedwith which bleeding is halted.

Pharmaceutical Agent

Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that it maysometimes be desirable to include one or more additional pharmaceuticalagents, in addition to the chamomile and nettle components, in thehemostatic compositions of the present invention.

For example, the composition of the present invention optionallyincludes one or more of an antimicrobial, an antibiotic, anantimyobacterial, an antifungal, an antiviral, an antioxidant, anantineoplastic agent, an agent affecting the immune response, anantithrombotic, an antihyperlipidemic agent, a cardiac drug, athyromimetic or antithyroid drug, an adrenergic, an antihypertensiveagent, a cholinergic, an anticholinergic, an antispasmodic, an antiulceragent, a skeletal and/or smooth muscle relaxant, a prostaglandin, ageneral inhibitor of the allergic response, an antihistamine, a localanesthetic, an analgesic, a narcotic antagonist, an antitussive, anon-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, a steroidal anti-inflammatoryagent, an antioxidant, a vaso-active agent, a bone-active agent, anantiarthritic, a vitamin, or a diagnostic agent.

In certain embodiments, the composition optionally includes one or moreof an antimicrobial, an antibiotic, an antimyobacterial, an antifungal,an antiviral, a local anesthetic, an analgesic, an antioxidant, anantiseptic agent, a vitamin, or combinations thereof.

Just to give a few examples, particular antimicrobial compounds that maybe useful in the practice of the present invention include, for example,aminoglycosides (e.g., amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, andcombinations thereof), amoxicillin (with or without clavulanate),amphotericin, ampicillin (with or without sulbactam), azithromycin,aztreonam, bacitracin, cefazolin, cefepime, cefotaxime, cefotetan,cefpodoxime, ceftazidime, ceftizoxime, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime,cephalexin, cephalosporins, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin,clarithromycin, clindamycin, clotrimazole, dapsone, dicloxacillin,doxycycline, erythromicin, fluconazole, furazidine (with or withoutsodium chloride), furazolidone, gatifloxacin, gentamycin,imipenem/cilastatin, isoniazid, itraconazole, kanamycin, ketoconazole,metronizadole, minocycline, nafcillin, neomycin, nitrofural,nitrofuratonin, nystatin, ofloxacin, penicillin, pentamidine,piperacillin, polymyxin, rifampicin, quinupristin, streptomycin,tetracycline, ticarcillin, trimethoprim, vancomycin, etc. Naturalantimicrobials such as, for example, propolis, may also be employed.Combinations of such antimicrobial agents may also be employed.

Examples of particular analgesics useful in accordance with the presentinvention include, for instance, morphine sulfate, codeine sulfate,meperidine, and nalorphine, or combinations thereof.

Examples of particular anesthetics useful in accordance with the presentinvention include, for instance, procaine, lidocain, tetracaine anddibucaine, or combinations thereof.

In certain embodiments, the inventive hemostatic compositions includeone or more pharmaceutical agents selected from the group consisting ofchlorhexidine (an antiseptic), furazidine, propolis, mexidole, dimexide(i.e., DMSO), hydrogen peroxide, saline, epinephrine and combinationsthereof.

The amount of additional therapeutic agent present in the compositionsof this invention will typically be no more than the amount that wouldnormally be administered in a composition comprising that therapeuticagent as the only active agent. In certain embodiments, the amount ofadditional therapeutic agent in the inventive compositions will rangefrom about 50% to 100% of the amount normally present in a compositioncomprising that agent as the only therapeutically active agent.

Uses of the Inventive Hemostatic Compositions

The compositions, of the present invention are useful as hemostaticagents. Accordingly, the present composition is useful for controlling,lessening the severity of, or stopping bleeding, for promoting cellularadhesion, or for treatment of an injury such as the site of a wound oraccidental injury, an opening incised during a surgical operation, or apuncture site remaining open after removing, for example, a catheter ordialysis needle. Thus, one aspect of the present invention relates to amethod for controlling or lessening the severity of bleeding. In someembodiments, the bleeding is associated with a wound or other accidentalinjury, a dental procedure, or a surgical procedure. Inventivecompositions, methods, and devices are useful to treat, for example,dental bleeding, nasal bleeding, bleeding by hemophiliacs, bleedingassociated with accidental cuts or abrasions (e.g., as occur in shaving,handling papers, playing games, etc.), wounds, surgical incisions, andother surface bleeding or injury.

The inventive compositions are also useful in the treatment of burns orother wounds (e.g., necrotic trophic ulcers, diabetic foot syndrome,etc.). Arresting haemorrhage from a wound bed can minimize scarformation or other damage. In some embodiments of the inventivecompositions useful for treatment of burns or other wounds, epinephrineis included in the compositions. Alternatively or additionally, variousantimicrobial and/or antiseptic agents may be included. In someembodiments, one or more of chlorhexidine, furazidine, propolis,mexidole, are included. Particularly useful agents for inclusion ininventive compositions for the treatment of burns include hyaluronicacid, propolis, and/or papaya. In some embodiments, a dressing for minorburns is prepared using a non-woven textile to which a composition isapplied, where the composition includes chamomile and nettle components,a biocompatible polymer (e.g., alginate and/or hyaluronic acid), and anadditional therapeutic agent (e.g., propolis and/or papaya).

Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate any of anumber of other desirable applications or uses for inventivecompositions and devices.

Inventive compositions are delivered or applied to a site of bleeding(or other damage) and are maintained in contact with the site,optionally with light pressure (e.g., applied manually or my means of anadhesive or elastic bandage), for a period of time to reduce oreliminate bleeding. As described below in Example 3, compositions of thepresent invention have been tested in clinical settings to assess theirhemostatic capabilities, and were found to reduce or inhibit bleedingfrom small vessels such that bleeding was stopped in less than a minute.Thus, according to some embodiments, the invention providescompositions, devices, and methods that, stop bleeding in less than aminute. In some embodiments, bleeding is stopped in less than about, 50,40, 30, 20, or 10 seconds. In some embodiments, bleeding is stoppedwithin 30-40 seconds. In other embodiments, inventive compositions ordevices may be kept in contact with a damaged site for several minutes,or hours, or even days, optionally with one or more changes during theperiod.

It will also be appreciated that the compositions of the presentinvention can be employed in combination therapies. That is, thecompositions can be administered concurrently with, prior to, orsubsequent to, one or more other desired therapeutic agents or medicalprocedures. The particular combination of therapies (therapeutic agentsor procedures) to employ in a combination regimen will take into accountcompatibility of the desired therapeutic agents and/or procedures andthe desired therapeutic effect to be achieved. It will also beappreciated that the therapies employed may achieve a desired effect forthe same disorder (for example, the present composition may beadministered concurrently with another agent used to treat the samedisorder), or they may achieve different effects (e.g., control of anyadverse effects).

Formulations and Devices Including the Inventive Hemostatic Compositions

As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, theinventive hemostatic compositions may desirably be incorporated into anyof a variety of formulations or devices for topical or transdermaladministration.

For example, inventive hemostatic compositions may be formulated asointments, pastes, creams, lotions, gels, powders, solutions, sprays, orinhalants. In certain embodiments, as discussed above, the hemostaticcompositions are incorporated in or on a gel.

Alternatively or additionally, the hemostatic compositions may beapplied onto or incorporated within a surface, device, or material thatis used to deliver the composition to a wound site. To give but a fewnon-limiting examples, the compositions may be applied to the surface ofa cotton swab or other elongated device for application to a wound, ormay be coated on or encased within a flexible surface that can be usedto cover, in whole or in part, a wound. In certain embodiments of theinvention, the composition is applied to or incorporated into adressing, such as a bandage or patch, for application to the surface ofa wound.

In general, a dressing according to the present invention will include amaterial onto which the inventive composition is applied. Thecomposition may be localized to only a portion of the material, or maysubstantially cover a material surface.

In general, the thickness with which the inventive hemostaticcomposition is applied to a material will be selected to ensure deliveryof an adequate amount of composition to promote the mechanical formationof a clot. In some embodiments of the invention, it is desirable thatthe composition be applied to a material with a thickness not less thanabout 0.05, 0.04, 0.03, or 0.02 mm. In some embodiments, the compositionis applied with a thickness not less than 0.025 mm. In some embodiments,the composition is applied with a thickness of 0.3 mm.

An inventive dressing may also include an attachment means, such as anadhesive, an elastic bandage, a tie, or other means, allowing thedressing to be secured to the site of a wound. In some embodiments, thedressing will include an adhesive substrate (e.g., a plastic or otherflexible material with an adhesive surface) whose adhesive surface ispartially covered by a fabric material to which an inventive hemostaticcomposition has been applied.

Desirable materials onto which inventive compositions are appliedinclude any fabric, textile or other material compatible with thecomposition and its intended use. In some embodiments, it is desirable agas-permeable material, for example to limit “hothouse” effectsunderneath a dressing. In some embodiments, it is desirable to employ anabsorptive material, for example to remove liquid (particularly aqueousliquids such as blood or water) from a wound site. Such absorptivecharacteristics may, in some cases, enhance the healing capabilities ofinventive dressings, for example by promoting coagulation.

The materials for use in accordance with this aspect of the presentinvention include woven and non-woven materials. In some embodiments ofthe invention, non-woven materials are employed. For example, non-wovenmaterials based on cellulose fibers, such as cellulose or viscosecotton, may be employed. In some embodiments, a material comprisingviscose fibers is used.

In some embodiments of the invention, particularly those utilizingnon-woven materials, the material is stitched with reinforced thread.Such stitching can enhance the stability of the material, and inparticular can minimize the risk of material fibers falling into thewound. Rows of stitching may be spaced apart from each other by adistance that is desirably less than about 10 mm. In some embodiments,stitched rows are separated by more than about 1 mm. In otherembodiments, stitched rows are separated by about 2, 3, 4, or 5 mm. Insome embodiments, stitched rows are separated by 4.0 mm. Often it willbe desirable for rows to be evenly spaced. Those of ordinary skill inthe art will readily appreciate, however, that irregular spacing is alsocontemplated by and encompassed within the present invention.

Materials to which inventive compositions are or have been applied maybe cut or otherwise formed into any desirable shape. In someembodiments, square, rectangular, circular, or oval-shaped “pads” may bedesirable. In other cases, it may be useful to cut or otherwise adjust adevice's size to accommodate dimensions of a particular site or wound.Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that a widerange of different sizes and shapes of devices is encompassed within thescope of the present invention.

Inventive dressings and other devices may optionally be sterilized andpackaged, as is known in the art. For example, sterilization may beaccomplished by subjecting a packaged composition or device toradiation, for example gamma radiation or E-beam, or by treatment withethylene oxide. In some embodiments, inventive compositions or devicesare packaged in packaging that is selected and arranged to facilitateremoval of a sterile composition or device without contamination. Insome embodiments, the packaging is waterproof, for example comprisingaluminum foil, plastic, or other conventional material that is easilysterilized. In other embodiments, the packaging is not waterproof, forexample comprising paper.

Example 2 below describes one particular embodiment of an inventivedressing. As described, an inventive chamomile/nettle composition isformulated with a biocompatible polymer and applied to the surface of atextile or fabric material. As described in Example 2, the compositionis applied evenly across substantially the entire surface of thematerial; those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciatethat localized application, and/or application of composition in areasof differing thickness, are also within the scope of the presentinvention. In some embodiments, however, uniform distribution ofcomposition on the material may have an additional advantage ofmaintaining a desired and effective amount of hemostatic composition incontact with the wound for an extended period of time.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Preparation of an Inventive Chamomile/Nettle/AlginateHemostatic Composition

The present Example describes preparation of an exemplarychamomile/nettle/alginate hemostatic composition according to thepresent invention.

3.55 g of pharmaceutical chamomile flowers and 1.3 g of dioecious nettleleaves are ground in a mill to a powdery consistency. 200 ml of hot,distilled water are poured over the mixture, and it is boiled for 15minutes. The mixture is then cooled to a temperature of 40° C. andfiltered. The volume of the herbal extract thus obtained is then reducedto 200 ml. 8.3 g of an alginate of sodium is added, and the mixture ismaintained at room temperature for 12 hours, with occasional stirring.

Example 2 Layered Textile

The present Example describes preparation of a layered textile in whicha chamomile/nettle/alginate composition prepared according to Example 1is layered on a textile material. The resulting layered textile haslong-acting high hemostatic and antiseptic properties, is atraumatic,and displays good sanitary and hygenic properties.

A chamomile/nettle/alginate composition prepared according to Example 1is evenly applied onto an 80×80 cm layer of non-woven material made of acombination of viscose and cotton fibers stitched with reinforcingthread in rows spaced in 4 mm intervals, so that 120 g of compositionare applied per square meter of material. The resulting layered textileis air-dried, cut into 6×10 cm or 10×18 cm pads, packed into paperenvelopes laminated in polyethylene, and subjected to sterilization byradiation at a dosage of no more than 15 kiloherz.

Application of the layered textile prepared according to this Example asa wound dressing is atraumatic as the side with the biocompatiblepolymer is applied to the injured surface. The polymer swells in a dampenvironment, acting as a lubricant between the material.

The layered textile prepared according to this Example has additionaladvantages as a wound dressing, for example, because the layered textilemaintains the air permeability of the material, which makes it possibleto avoid a “hothouse” effect beneath the dressing/layer and the skin.

Example 3 Treatment of Wounds with Inventive Layered Textile Dressing

The present Example describes use of an inventive layered textiledressing in the treatment of patients in body cavity operations,parenchymatous bleeding contexts, or other surgical procedures.

Inventive layered textile dressings prepared according to Example 2 weretested for their hemostatic quality in the surgical division of theRussian State Medical University (RGMU). Pads (60×10 cm or 10×18 cm)were applied as a local hemostatic medium to halt bleeding from smallvessels. 30 patients who had undergone body cavity operations or othersurgical procedures, or who suffered from parenchymatous bleeding weretreated. Pads were applied to the surface of a wound for 30-40 seconds,and resulting in the halting of the bleeding. No side effects in theapplication of pads were observed.

Additional clinical testing of inventive layered textile dressing hasbeen performed at the I.M. Sechenov Moscow Medical Academy (MMA), the M.F. Vladimirsky Moscow Regional Scientific Research Clinical Institute(MONIKI), and the Scientific Research Institute of Laser Medicine (NIIof Laser Medicine).

Equivalents

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoinghas described certain preferred embodiments of the invention. Variousmodifications, changes, and substitutions to compounds, materials, ormethods described herein may be made without departing from the spiritor scope of the present invention, whose boundaries are established onlyby the subject matter of the appended claims.

1. A wound dressing comprising a composition comprising an extract ofchamomile flowers and dioecious nettle leaves, and a biocompatiblepolymer; wherein the extract is produced from chamomile flowers anddioecious nettle leaves (1) that are present in a ratio of about 2.7:1by weight of chamomile flowers to dioecious nettle leaves, and (2)wherein the chamomile components and the dioecious nettle components inthe extract together are present in an amount of 0.33-0.92% by weight ofthe biocompatible polymer; and wherein the biocompatible polymer isselected from one or more of agarose, agar, carrageen, alginic acid,alginate or other alginic acid derivative, a hyaluronate derivative, apolyanionic polysaccharide, chitin, chitosan, fibrin, a polyglycolide, apolylactide, a polycaprolactone, a dextran or copolymer thereof,polyvinyl pyrrolidone, a polyacrylate, a wax, apolyethylene-polyoxypropylene-block polymer, wool fat, poly(L-lacticacid), poly(DL-Lactic acid) copoly(lactic/glycolic acid), cellulose, acellulose derivative, a glycol, polylactide-polyglycolide,polymethyldisiloxane, polycaprolactone, polylactic acid, and ethylenevinyl acetate.
 2. The wound dressing according to claim 1, wherein saidbiocompatible polymer comprises a hydrophilic polymer.
 3. The wounddressing according to claim 1, wherein said biocompatible polymercomprises alginic acid or alginate.
 4. The wound dressing according toclaim 1, wherein said biocompatible polymer comprises a hydrogel.
 5. Thewound dressing according to claim 1, further comprising an additionaltherapeutic agent.
 6. The wound dressing according to claim 5, whereinsaid additional therapeutic agent is selected from one or more of anantimicrobial, an antibiotic, an antimyobacterial, an antifungal, anantiviral, a neoplastic agent, an agent affecting the immune response,an antithrombotic, an antihyperlipidemic agent, a cardiac drug, athyromimetic or antithyroid drug, an adrenergic, an antihypertensiveagent, a cholinergic, an anticholinergic, an antispasmodic, an antiulceragent, a skeletal and/or smooth muscle relaxant, a prostaglandin, ageneral inhibitor of the allergic response, an antihistamine, a localanesthetic, an analgesic, a narcotic antagonist, an antitussive, anon-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, a steroidal anti-inflammatoryagent, an antioxidant, a vaso-active agent, a bone-active agent, anantiarthritic, a vitamin, or a diagnostic agent.
 7. The wound dressingaccording to claim 5, wherein the additional therapeutic agent isselected from one or more of an antimicrobial, an antibiotic, anantimyobacterial, an antifungal, an antiviral, a local anesthetic, ananalgesic, an antioxidant, or a vitamin.
 8. The wound dressing accordingto claim 1, wherein the dressing comprises a textile material and thecomposition is applied on one surface of the textile material.
 9. Thewound dressing according to claim 8, wherein the composition is appliedin a layer not less than 0.025 mm thick.
 10. The wound dressingaccording to claim 8, wherein the textile material comprises a non-wovenmaterial.
 11. The wound dressing according to claim 10, wherein thetextile material has been stitched with reinforced threads.
 12. Thewound dressing according to claim 11, wherein rows of stitching areseparated from one another by a distance within the range of 1.0-10.0mm.
 13. The wound dressing according to claim 8, wherein the textilematerial is a 6×10 cm pad or a 10×18 cm pad.
 14. A method of controllingor lessening the severity of bleeding in a patient in need thereof,wherein said method comprises administering to said patient a wounddressing according to claim
 1. 15. A method of controlling or lesseningthe severity of bleeding in a patient in need thereof, wherein saidmethod comprises administering to said patient a wound dressingaccording to claim
 6. 16. A method of promoting wound healing in apatient in need thereof, wherein said method comprises applying a wounddressing according to claim 1 to a wound on the patient.
 17. A method oftreating a burn in a patient in need thereof, wherein said methodcomprises applying a wound dressing according to claim 1 to a burn onthe patient.
 18. The wound dressing of claim 1 prepared by a processcomprising: grinding together a mixture comprising approximately 3.55grams of chamomile flowers and 1.3 grams of dioecious nettle leaves;extracting components from the mixture to form an extract; reducing thevolume of the extract to 200 milliliters; adding approximately 8.3 gramsof sodium alginate to the extract to form a composition; and applyingthe chamomile/dioecious nettle/sodium alginate composition to anon-woven material.